Nova Scotia needs provincial anti-scab legislation to level the playing field, says Federation of Labour President Danny Cavanagh

The long-awaited federal anti-scab legislation took effect on June 20, 2025, making it illegal for federally regulated employers to hire replacement workers, also known as scabs, during a strike or lockout. While this is a significant step forward for workers across Canada, it offers little comfort to us in Nova Scotia, where we still lack similar protections at the provincial level.

Nova Scotia workers remain at risk of having their bargaining efforts undercut by the use of scab labour, as they have during past strikes in our province. Workers in the education sector, at the auto port, and the Halifax Water Commission, among many others, have seen their struggles prolonged and their rights undermined by the use of replacement workers. These practices weaken the collective power of workers and prolong disputes, leaving workers and their families to bear the brunt of unfair labour practices by many employers.

While the federal legislation is a step in the right direction, some provisions remain unclear and could weaken the law’s full impact. Our unions will continue to fight to close these gaps, strengthen enforcement, and ensure that no worker is ever replaced during a legal strike or lockout.

Why Anti-Scab Legislation Is Essential

1. Protecting Fair Bargaining: Using scab labour undermines the collective bargaining process, making it harder for workers to negotiate fair wages and working conditions.
2. Preventing Division: Replacement workers create division among employees, weakening solidarity and the ability to stand together for better workplace rights.
3. Strengthening Communities: Strikes are about more than wages—they’re about respect and dignity. Scab labour prolongs disputes, harming workers, families, and local economies.
4. Encouraging Accountability: Employers who rely on scabs avoid addressing the root causes of workplace disputes, perpetuating poor management practices.

As we celebrate the new federal legislation, we must not lose sight of the work still to be done here in Nova Scotia. Workers in our province deserve the same protections as those in federally regulated industries. The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour will continue to advocate for provincial anti-scab legislation to ensure that no worker is left vulnerable to exploitation during a legal strike or lockout.